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Tánaiste and Minister Cannon confirm support for UN reform as the UN Deputy Secretary General visits Ireland

The Tanáiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney T.D., and the Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development, Ciaran Cannon T.D., today (7th September) announced a pledge of €1 million in support of the reform efforts of the United Nations Development System. The pledge comes as UN Deputy Secretary General, Amina Mohammed, who is playing a leading role in the UN reform effort, is visiting Ireland.

Speaking today ahead of his meeting with the UN Deputy Secretary General, the Tánaiste said:

“Given Ireland’s deep commitment to the multilateral system, we are delighted to pledge €1m to help fund key UN reforms that will help make the UN fit for purpose to meet the challenges of a changing world. As the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said, reform is about putting in place the mechanisms to make a real difference in the lives of people.

In my meeting with the UN Deputy Secretary General Mohammed today, I will be stressing Ireland’s support for a more effective, efficient and results-focused UN approach, given the key role the UN is playing in making the Sustainable Development Goals a reality for everyone, everywhere. This is in keeping with Ireland’s consistent support for the United Nations and our core belief that small countries can and should take a leadership role in the organisation.”

Minister Cannon added:

“Ireland is happy to play its part in helping to fund these crucial UN reforms. I have seen in my recent visits to Africa and elsewhere that the UN teams are working around the clock to respond to humanitarian emergencies, to support long-term development, to preserve peace and to ensure human rights. Our funding today will complement the strong support Ireland provides to the UN Development System – and make it work better for those most in need.”

The comprehensive and ambitious UN reforms, agreed by the 193 UN member states in May this year, are aimed at advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – with poverty eradication as the first goal, leaving no one behind.

The reforms, which are now being implemented, will increase the effectiveness of the UN system, and make better use of contributions given by Ireland and other donors.

Central to the reforms is the creation of a new generation of UN development teams in countries around the world, under clear and accountable country leadership structures, giving practical meaning to the SDGs and to efforts to address climate change.

ENDS

Press Office

7 September 2018

Note for editors:

In 2017, Ireland contributed over €156 million to the United Nations Development System – amounting to 22% of Ireland’s Official Development Assistance (ODA). This funding is supporting efforts by the UN in keeping peace, improving human well-being and advancing human rights and the rule of law, especially in developing countries where the needs are greatest.

The €1m is to be pledged to the UN Voluntary Trust Fund for the Resident Coordinator System, a key plank in the UN Development System reform efforts.

Ireland is seeking election to a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in June 2020 for the 2021-2022 term. Our bid for a seat on the Council is an important element of Global Ireland 2025, the recently launched strategy to double the scale and impact of Ireland’s international engagement. Further information can be found at: https://merrionstreet.ie/MerrionStreet/en/ImageLibrary/20180702.pdf